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Christmas in Colonial Virginia
- "Christmas Customs," by Emma L. Powers, reprinted from The Colonial Williamsburg Interpreter, vol. 16, no. 4, winter 1995-96.
- "Another Look at Christmas in the Eighteenth Century," by David Desimone, reprinted from The Colonial Williamsburg Interpreter, vol. 16, no. 4, winter 1995-96.
- Holiday Wassail and Gingerbread
-from Recipes from the Raleigh Tavern Bake Shop - Attention teachers–the above recipes are included in
"A Colonial Christmas in Williamsburg" lesson plan.
Multimedia and related links
Slideshows
A Colonial Williamsburg Christmas
Wreaths, Garlands, Ropes and Fruit
A Feast for the Eyes
Folk Art
Holiday Decorations
Images of Christmastime
Christmas in Williamsburg
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Video
Christmas in Williamsburg
Doors are decked in Williamsburg's signature style to celebrate the holiday season. Laura Viancour describes the preparations. December 1, 2008
Grand Illumination
Colonial Williamsburg celebrates Grand Illumination
Grand Illumination - Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes look Grand Illumination preparation
Christmas Trees
Christmas trees and ornaments found at Colonial Williamsburg
Holiday Decorations
Decorating Colonial Williamsburg for Christmas
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Podcasts
- View descriptions
Gingerbread Houses
The town is rendered in gingerbread once a year at Colonial Williamsburg. Executive Pastry Chef Joe Sciegaj oversees the construction. December 22, 2008
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Image enhanced: View (m4a) | TranscriptChristmas in Williamsburg
Doors are decked in Williamsburg's signature style to celebrate the holiday season. Laura Viancour describes the preparations. December 1, 2008
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Image enhanced: View (m4a) | Transcript
Video podcast: Watch | Transcript
Twelfth Night
Holiday celebrations culminate with Twelfth Night revelries. December 31, 2007
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Image enhanced: View (m4a) | TranscriptAn Irish Christmas
In clear voice and high spirits, Kelly Kennedy sings Irish Christmas melodies. December 24, 2007
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Image enhanced: View (m4a) | TranscriptA Child's-Eye View
Old toy trains and sprawling dollhouses connect imaginations through the span of years. Curator Jan Gilliam has the happy task of laying them out. December 17, 2007
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Image enhanced: View (m4a) | TranscriptChristmas Hymns You Thought You Knew
Colonial Williamsburg musician John Turner explains the origins of America's beloved Christmas hymns. December 25, 2006
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Image enhanced: View (m4a) | TranscriptColonial Christmastide Dance
Performing Arts Dance Interpreter Marcy Wright talks about 18th-century dance customs, including instructions that called for kisses and hugs. December 18, 2006
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Image enhanced: View (m4a) | TranscriptAn 18th Century Christmas
Historian Lou Powers traces the evolution of Christmas celebrations through the centuries. December 4, 2006
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Image enhanced: View (m4a) | TranscriptCurator of Historic Interiors
Curator Emily Roberts enjoys setting a proper Christmas supper for 10 in the Palace. December 19, 2005
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Professor Minnigerode lights a tree
Bob Doares talks about playing the part of the German professor who brought the tradition of the Christmas tree to Williamsburg in the mid-19th century. December 5, 2005
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Planning the Grand Illumination
Tim Sutphin has the daunting task of overseeing details for Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination held the first Sunday in December. November 28, 2005
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
Decorating for Christmas
Laura Viancour talks about the labor-intensive job of decorating the Historic Area for the Christmas season year after year. November 21, 2005
Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
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Games & Interactive
Coffee Bean Solitaire
Celebrate coffee and chocolate with a new bean solitaire game.
Christmas Frolick Word Search
from the article "The Christmas Frolick" in the Autumn 09 Journal
Crossword Puzzle: Christmas in Prints
from the article "Christmas in Prints" in the Autumn 08 Journal
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Downloads
Wallpaper: Hot and fresh
Wallpaper: Holiday march
Wallpaper: Illuminated Palace
Wallpaper: Wreath decorated with lemons
Wallpaper: Wreath decorated with eggs
Wallpaper: Christmas wreath
Wallpaper: Fireworks at the Governor's Palace
Wallpaper: Wreath decorated with pineapple
Wallpaper: Wreath decorated with gingerbread squirrel
Wallpaper: Door decorated for Christmas
Screensaver: Christmas
Our new Christmas screensaver features 24 iconic holiday images from the historic area.
- PC download (9.7 Mb)
- MAC download (7.7 Mb)
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Audio
A Grand Entertainment
Since the first organized Christmas celebration drew visitors to Colonial Williamsburg in 1936, nothing quite matches the beauty, imagination, excitement, pageantry, sights, smells, sounds, and grandeur of the Christmas season in Colonial Williamsburg.
Songs for a Williamsburg Christmas
Carols, motets, hymns, songs, and madrigals reflect the enthusiastic joy and high spirits of Yuletide celebrations in Williamsburg.
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Journal articles
A Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Under the Tree
A Photo Essay
Christmas Frolick
And Sing and Tell Stories Together
With Boughs of Holly
Company for Christmas
Christmas in Prints
The Town of the Nativity
Columbus' Christmas City
Once Around the Colonial Seasons
Wassailing through History
Betokening Christmas
Dessert Pyramids
A Feast for the Eyes and the Palate
Christmas Earnest & Christmas Game
At heart, Christmas was an oxymoron: serious and silly. Holy day as well as holiday. And sometimes violently.
Christmas Trees, the Confederacy, and Colonial Williamsburg
Wreaths, Garlands, Ropes, and Fruit
A Christmas Essay
Christmas is a'coming, The goose is getting fat, Please put a penny in the old man's hat
The Grandest Illumination
Captain John Smith's Christmas
Christmas Music in Colonial Days
The Community Christmas Tree in America's Hometown
Williamsburg's Long Christmas
Historically, two threads run through Christmas celebrations: piety and pleasure
Grand Illumination
Christmas in Colonial Virginia
Apples, Putlog Holes, and Provost Marshals
Christmas: Williamsburg Style
Deck the Doors
- more articles...
Historic Triangle
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